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The Walking Dead - Slabtown - Review and Discussion

Nov 3, 2014

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I’m starting think of the latest phase of The Walking Dead series as the “tourism period.” Starting with Joe’s group, continuing with Terminus, Gabriel, and now the hospital, for a few weeks at a time, we’ve been visiting with different groups of survivors who have made alternative choices.

By being offered glimpses into the lives of different groups of survivors, we’re being given the opportunity to peek into a window into the into dark, base corners of human nature – at acts such as cannibalism, rape, and this week sex slavery – while our heroes stay heroic (for the most part). We visit the dark themes for a short period of time, and then go home. In fairness they warned us this would turn dark. For example, last season Daryl and Beth had a debate on whether there were any good people left.

In Slabtown, we caught up with Beth who was last seen by Daryl being abducted by someone in a car with a white cross on the back. In what was a great opener – a nod back to Rick waking up from his coma in Days Gone Bye – we see Beth open her eyes, take in the clock (this one ticking) and the room, and then get up and look out the window to the bombed out city of Atlanta – a city the was featured prominently in season one but has been neglected since.

Daryl, in telling Rick that Beth had been abducted, had said she was “just gone.” We heard these words again – this time used by Dr. Steven Edwards to refer to patients they thought they were saving by evacuating prior to Atlanta's bombing, who were presumably killed in the napalm attack.  We also hear a number of other phrases that had been associated with Beth’s story parroted back and twisted from their original intent.

Despite the intro with numerous Rick associations – including Beth’s walk down a long shadowy hospital corridor (this one with a janitor rather than walkers at the end) - this was definitely Beth’s episode, with numerous call backs to Hershel and her time on the run with Daryl. For example, Dawn Lerner, a former Altanta police who now serves as leader of this group, reminds Beth that she must contribute to pay back what she owes. Dawn’s version amounts to something akin to indentured servitude – and even degenerates into a form of sex slavery – but the message is a warped version of Hershel’s reminders to his daughters of community and responsibility. He used to preach that they all had jobs to do.

Other reminders of Hershel include the rooftop garden and Beth’s assisting in medical procedures – something she was likely called in often to do with Hershel’s veterinary practice. We also hear comments echoed from her time with Daryl. Beth had told Daryl that she thinks he sees her as just another dead girl. This week Beth was reminded by Dawn that she’s weak, and that out in the open she’s just “dead or someone’s burden.”

But while Dawn’s words were meant to weaken Beth, we see a new side to Beth when she chooses to fight back. The episode closes with Beth, who after a breakout attempt with Noah was recaptured, now armed with something sharp and shocked to see an unconscious Carol being wheeled in. I’m looking forward to seeing these two paired up. They’re both women who have come to gradually find their strength over the course of the series – opposites in personality in some ways but with common ground in that neither will be victims and both have a tendency to be underestimated.

Horror Flick Feel

One of the things I most appreciated about this episode was the break from the weight of the previous week – particularly Bob’s death and his words of caution about not losing too much of yourself while members of the group participated in a violent bashing of the Termites’ heads. While there was seriousness and tension to Slabtown, it was more of the type of a horror flick rather than emotional weightiness that the series often wallows in.

Five seasons into this series, it must be a challenge to make zombies look scary. We’ve seen them being taken down easily so many times. Yet through the harrowing descent into the claustrophobic elevator shaft, the landing on bouncy dead bodies, followed by an emersion into a destroyed city with oversaturated lighting and sound effects that shut out the ordinary and focused on the danger, the show succeeded in creating a scene of fear and suspense. Was this timed to correspond with Halloween? I’d like to think so.

Other Thoughts:

- I thought Emily Kinney (Beth) did a very good job with this episode. I haven't considered her one of the stronger actresses on the show, and up to last season she’s had little opportunity to show much range, but she had a chance to shine this week and held up this episode that was focused almost exclusively on her character.

- Dawn staying in uniform contrasted with Rick, who donned his uniform for the first season, but changed to civilian clothes and gave his hat to Carl as he started to adapt to his new world. Dawn is still holding onto the hope of regaining their old world, and unlike Rick, hasn’t been able to let go of that illusion. This is driving her to desperation and causing her to sanction acts such as the rape of Joan or Beth, that she likely would have had no part of in her previous life.

- In the season premiere, No Sanctuary, we watched as Carol used walkers as weapons. In this episode, we hear the mantra repeated that they have to work with what they have, and Beth uses Joan as a walker (or “rotter” in those parts) to take down Gorman.

- We saw lollipops go from sweet (loved Noah’s line about being of the “Lollipop Guild” from “The Wizard of Oz”) to being sexual harassment tools in a rapey scene between Gorman and Beth. I don’t think I’ll ever look at a lollipop the same way again. Thanks for that.

- So far I like Noah.  We haven't seen much of him yet, but I’m looking forward to seeing more from him in the future. I’m also intrigued by his mention of a walled home.

So what did you think of the episode? Sound off in the comments!

About the Author - Chris684
Chris684
Chris is a New Englander with a background in print and digital media, who currently earns a living by making web and technology products easier to use. She has a weakness for TV characters who are 'dark and twisty' (to quote Meredith Grey) and reviews The Walking Dead, Legends, Halt and Catch Fire, and Dig for SpoilerTV.
Recent Reviews (All Reviews)

57 comments:

  1. I did enjoy the episode. Emily is not a good actress but the plot was very interesting. I love Noah's character and his relantionship with Beth. It feels those two will have a very close relantionship in the future, whether is romantic or friendship. I hope romantic, it would be very interesting. I love the fact Carol was in the end. I feel Beth and Carol will have a very nice episode together. I always love the dynamic between them. The episode was good even Emily's acting wasn't. Anyways, TWD is soooooooooooooo good this season!

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  2. Emily Kinney, who did by the way an awesome job, gave in The Talking Dead accidentaly away that the special relationship between Daryl and Beth will turn romantic.

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  3. Carol won't be in the condition to help Beth. She'll need Beth's help to survive until their gang arrives.

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  4. Great review. However, I'm thinking of stopping watching the show. I started watching it mainly because of the survival aspect, but I'm now starting to get fed up with some of the story arcs and with all these rape and cannibalism plots that are only used for shock value. OK that it's in some form quite true to mankind's evil nature, but still...

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  5. This bad people weren't very shocking when Rick and Beth were beating the shit out of them. So they're not mainly used to shock someone but to show the evolution of the main characters and that's why this show is more than just worth watching.

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  6. Not a chance. EK was trolling, the only fans she has who are oblivious to her substandard acting are the ones who want Beth to be with Daryl, but the majority of the viewers detest the idea.

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  7. I don't think she did a gob job. I watched Talking Dead last night and I didn't see any denial or confirmation that Daryl and Beth relantionship is romantic or it will be. Just remember, actors NEVER confirm or deny ANYTHING. Noah and Beth has good chances. Robert Kirkman said it will have a lot of romance this season, it could be Beth and Noah. However, we don't know. Just my opinion and you have yours. We will see what will happen for sure.

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  8. Most Emily fans ship Bethyl, so it makes sense that she would want to play up the idea of her and Daryl having a romantic relationship.

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  9. They think that Carol is weak . hahahahaha

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  10. Haha. Yeah, they're in for a big surprise when she wakes up. I wonder if the reason Daryl wasn't brought in too was what Noah was saying. That they don't bring in those that they think will fight back.

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  11. Thanks for the comments. I can see how it wouldn't be for everyone. I guess I have a pretty high tolerance for this type of thing if it's done tactfully and there seems to be a reason behind it, but not everyone wants to watch it. I can completely understand that.

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  12. This episode probably wasn't for everyone, but I really enjoyed it. I was also very impressed with what we saw of Noah's character so far, and hope to see him integrated fully into the group. I'm with you on looking forward to the focus on Carol and Beth working together!

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  13. I initally was not interested in Beth's story, but although slow, EK held my interest. I rooted for her. Noah coming in as an ally for Beth, good. I liked the attempted escape scene, and Beth's smile. EK expressed a lot with her eyes, and again, that last smile, was great. I find it ironic that two women Daryl have connections with (both woemn have benefitted from his skills), end up in the same place. So, how will they handle Grady hospital, and its staff, as a team. I am enjoying this season so much. I love the cast, except Abraham, Rosita and Eugene.

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  14. Meh...can't say I agree with you about this episode or about EK's acting. She seemed stilted and wooden, and pretty much all she did for the entire episode was give a big-eyed stare to anyone who talked to her. If she answered them, it took her long enough that one might wonder what is wrong with her. Her lack of ability was emphasized by being surrounded by much better actors. I will say that I thought she improved a bit by the end of the episode. She does "determined" better than "confused innocent," IMO. I think she seems like a very sweet person and I enjoy her singing, but I thought this was her worst acting in the series so far.


    As far as the plot, I found it confusing. Why did Dawn slap Beth the first time? That was just random and weird. What exactly are they doing at the hospital? They go out and "save" people, bring them back, and make them stay...why? To do laundry and be sex slaves? Like, really? That's it? How many worker bees and sex slaves do they need? I don't get it. The happier the "wards" make the officers, the harder they work...getting more worker bees and sex slaves? It makes no sense! Other than that, it was kind of interesting, I suppose. I liked Noah. I spent the entire show convinced that Dr. Steven Edwards was the same guy who played Daniel Faraday on Lost, but apparently he was not. Seems so familiar. Anyway, I thought he was a good guy and then it turned out he wasn't. So that was interesting. I liked Joan; too bad she died so fast. But at least she took out Officer McRapester with her.

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  15. You mean? Daryl and Beth are not a romantic couple for me. I have my reasons to believe it's not and it won't be. On Talking Dead last night, Emily denied their relantionship as romantic but this is just my point of view. I feel Noah and Beth will have relantionship after mid-season. At least, that's what I feel about them.

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  16. Yeah! Carol and Beth will kick ass! I truly hope Noah doesn't die!

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  17. I think Emily is a decent actress.......she's just starting out so I'm sure she will improve with time. But her performance was just fine. I like the Beth character.....I hope she makes it!

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  18. When she said that Daryl and Beth were about to find out what happened in that scene before Beth got kidnapped it was very obvious that she said more than she wanted...

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  19. That Caryl-fanatics are aggressive doesn't mean that they build a majority. The only character I'm fanatic about is Rick (If I would be a woman I would want him to marry me). I like Beth even like I like Carol and from my very neutral point of view i notice that Beth has become a much bigger fanbase if you don't just count people who write in social media.

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  20. I too had the same thought ! (as always Chris - great review - thanks !) Daryl WOULD fight back, but Carol going 'in' alone they have a better chance. I see Noah being the one behind the bushes w Daryl. Noah can give first hand knowledge of the facility and it's inhabitants to Rick n Co. With Carol being 'undercover' the rescue would have a Much better chance at successfully bringing not just Beth but Carol back. Noah seems to be a decent (a rarity now) person, and Beth DID get him out, he can now return that kindness and possibly be a future member of the extended Grimes Family.

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  21. A loud minority of crazy shippers doesn't equal the majority of the viewers. The majority of the viewers couldn't care less who ends up with Daryl.
    And EK wasn't trolling. This is like the fifth time she has hinted Daryl/Beth will be romantic.

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  22. I loved this episode and I thought Dawn was supposed to represent the Beth haters calling Beth weak but she proved them wrong ;) Also I have seen nothing but praise for Emily's performance but I guess the haters are never going to see her as more than an "obstacle" for their ship.
    Also it's funny how some people predicted this episode and Emily were going to be terrible and she ended up being fantastic. I loved the episode but I get it isn't for everyone. I have 0 interest in Glenn/Maggie but at least it seems next week's episode will focus more on Abraham than them.

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  23. Daryl/Beth isn't a brother/sister relationship. Daryl/Carol is. Norman Reedus said Daryl/Carol was a bromance but people still refuse to accept it.

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  24. Really fantastic review, Chris -- love some of the details you noticed and pointed out. All in all (for me), this episode really helped emphasize the intensity of everything in Season 5 that's preceded it. Though it was filled with gross medical scenes, nasty suggestions, even near-rape, it almost felt "lighter" than the preceding episodes. Haha... how's THAT for a sign that this show has twisted me beyond repair? :)

    I was repulsed by some of the medical scenes (probably the intended reaction), and impressed by that amazing, bombed-out Atlanta skyline. Loved how they tied into the pilot and paralleled Rick's early hospital experience. One thing I found especially savvy was the subtle way they wrote Dr. Edwards. He clearly comes across as a smart, caring, decent guy, right up until the moment he manipulates Beth into safeguarding his position as "sole doctor." This doesn't make him an evil or sinister person, but really points out how self-preservation and practicality trump innate kindness and trust in this new world. For me, his genuinely decent heart really gave that betrayal some added weight.



    I found Dawn's character a little too thinly written, and her master game plan kinda vague. If you keep your officers "happy," and they go out and bring in more and more slaves, doesn't that just make it harder to feed and clothe everyone? I mean, there's only so much "worker bee" activity you'd actually need to keep things running. Seems like an unsustainable plan to me...?



    But I love love LOVE that Beth and Carol will now have a chance to team up! Emily's the weaker actress of the two, but we're learning there's nothing weak about either character. I am SO looking forward to the prospect of having them both kick some a$$ together -- and more than a little worried that we may lose one of them in the process. Hoping not.

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  25. I quite enjoyed this episode and I wasn't really looking forward to another episode far away from the main group. Beth was really resourceful and she has really come a far way from being a background character in Season 2.
    The end has me in anticipation of next week .... Carol being wheeled in! I'm thinking she actually "broke in" to the place as part of a plan between her and Daryl to investigate this place. It's more likely that I'm wrong ... but it will be interesting to see Beth and Carol team up and Carol go head to head with Dawn ... I hope Carol really punches Dawn ... multiple times!

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  26. That's it. When Rick hugged Carol you saw how Daryl's face expressed "my bro and sis are reconciling"-happiness. I would see more romantic potential in the relationship between Rick and Carol if Michonne wouldn't be around,

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  27. I think romantic relationships are the farthest thing from Daryl's mind, at this point and any point. I think he's asexual.

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  28. Then T-Dog, Hershel, Michonne, Dale and Rick since 3x3 are also all asexual just because they didn't have time for a romantic relationship when they tried to survive in this world?

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  29. I wouldnt, and I don't find it creepy at all. This is ther NEW world, and puritanical laws of our old world are LONG gone.
    To repopulate a dead world you need women of strong inner strength. and Beth has that in spades.

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  30. IT IS SO NICE TO READ A REVIEW WRITTEN BY SOMEONE WITH A BRAIN! Half these entertainment reviewers, have ZERo analytical skills. THANK YOU> Also, I applaud the writer for using her suicide scars -- this is a real serious thing. To have Beth rise out of someone using that against, I just was so proud of Beth and the writers for saying: you can go from that to a survivor.

    Oh. ANd the scene where smiles as Noah escapes, I teared up -00 the editing and performance was so well done.

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  31. Did I say "not having time" was a characteristic of asexuality?

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  32. Obvious is what there is on screen. Untill there is no scene atesting Daryl and Beth are a romantic couple, they are not one. Actors will never give spoilers by any means. Emily just said what she always say.

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  33. They think women and young boys are weak. Also they take women because they need sex slaves. Horrible place.

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  34. Wonderful job, Chris. Thanks! I liked the episode okay enough, but found myself antsy to check in with the others. I really did appreciate the production values--the use of lighting, framing, Bear McCreary's score--to help tell the story.

    Now I have a question that's been bugging me. How long was Beth in the hospital? I'd say at least a week, and here's what I have to go on. She was abducted from the casket house at nighttime. Daryl was seen in the day, probably the next morning, forlorn, when he met up with the hunters. He spent at least one night with the hunters, the night he killed that one obnoxious guy. It seemed he had spent a little more time with them, though, because he was starting to learn their ways. Then, Daryl and the hunters walked in the daytime past Carl's candy wrapper on the tracks and ran into Rick at night. The next day the Daryl and Rick's gang went on together to Terminus and got locked in the train car, still day. Carol came to rescue them on another day. Then they went to Father Gabriel's church and Carol and Daryl left in search of supplies, fixed a car, and went off to follow a car like the one that Beth was taken in. (I probably have some things a little incorrect).

    So how long was (1) Beth unconscious, and how long (2) was she working at the hospital before Carol was brought in?

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  35. I think she did very well. She is, after all, playing a TEENAGER, and after several years in this new world, she would have learned to keep her cards close to her chest, and not to volunteer anything that may jeopardize her life.
    She used a very expressive facial features to project what she needed to convey

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  36. The timeline in this show is sometimes so confusing. I think Daryl and Beth spent a month together before she was abducted. They say "weeks" when they talk about that time. Daryl probably spent a week with the "claimed" group. Terminus was only one day. Then they probably found the Church some days later.
    I think Beth has been in the hospital for two or three weeks. She probably was unconscious for a day or two.

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  37. I'm split on whether I think Carol being brought in was intentionally or unintentionally. I tend to lean toward unintentionally, but once she's in there and she and Beth have a chance to talk, things will get interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing Dawn try her routine with Carol.


    I do think it makes sense that Daryl would have gone back for reinforcements. Daryl's awesome, but he can't go up against a group of armed police on his own. I agree with you that I think Noah will be adopted in to the group. Thanks for the comments!

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  38. The smile on Beth's face when she saw that Noah got away was one of the highlights of the episode.

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  39. Thanks. That sounds about right.

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  40. Great review! I really enjoyed the episode. That was a surprise to me b/c I couldn't stand Beth before last night's episode, and I most certainly didn't want to see an entire episode focused on her character, but the episode was better than I thought it would be. We saw some growth, IMO, in Beth's character. She took some action and decided she wasn't just going to stay there and be a victim. I liked that. I'd like to see a stronger Beth so, hopefully, that occurs as a result of this experience.

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  41. Dawn is a psycho! She was upset that that guy died so she slapped Beth. I don't think there was much more to it than that.

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  42. Thanks Mary. Great point about Edwards, and how the fact that he was more likable made his betrayal worse. Your comments reminded me the theme of how people make a place for the things they do and carry those things around with them - like how Tyreese told Carol that killing Carol and David was going to become part of who she was. I still don't feel like Edwards is bad. He's just weak, and he's right that he wouldn't survive another doctor being brought in. For him, surviving has become more important than doing the right thing.

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  43. I didn't get that at all from TTD.

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  44. That's how I saw it too. If anything, she was neutral about it. She neither denied nor confirmed a Daryl/Beth romantic relationship.

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  45. Yeah, it's certainly the show's front-and-center theme -- which part(s) of your humanity will you give up to survive? -- but the writers have found some pretty creative and subtle ways to work it in this season.

    That point Noah made about living up north "behind a wall" really grabbed my attention as well. Looks like Rick & Co. have been trekking all over the place, yet they're still just a few miles from Atlanta. That hadn't necessarily been my impression! Wonder if this was their intention, or a case of running around in circles? Either way, how ironic if the walker plague hit heaviest in the warmer South, and the situation is less dire in the colder North (where I'm guessing, walkers would freeze). Guess we'll find out if Abraham's team ever gets there.

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  46. I don't give a sh... to who will be with Daryl. I don't like Beth very much, I do like Carol. But I think Carol is kind of ugly. Daryl isn't that good looking, but if he can choose, so, definitely I would choose the pretty one, Beth.

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  47. Yes, 100% agree with what you said about liking the growth in Beth's character.

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  48. Flashforward?? I remember being really excited when that started, and being disappointed that it was cancelled even though I saw the flaws, but I don't still remember a thing from it. I'm impressed that you do. ;-)

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  49. Thanks for the comments. It seems incredible that it could only be a week because so much of substance has happened. Your timeline is probably right, although I'm not sure that keeping an accurate count of time is the biggest believability issue in a show where the dead rise up as zombies. ;-)

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  50. Thank you! Yes, agree with you that the suicidal scars was good call back to that earlier time and showed the extent of her growth.

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  51. Thanks for commenting. I suspect Carol's weapon with Dawn will more likely be words - at least at first - but I'd love to see a shootout/showdown between Sheriff Rick and Daryl (assuming Daryl comes back with reinforcements) vs Dawn's cops. I'm looking forward to the moment that Dawn discovers that she can't intimidate Carol. That will be a fun scene.

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  52. You know, I was thinking about the geography and it makes some sense. They were on their way away from the CDC, and probably hadn't gotten very far, before they stalled and ended up on Hershel's farm. I would have thought they would have put some distance after they got run off of Hershel's farm, but I believe there was a line about how the walker hordes were forming natural boundaries, and they were forced to keep going around in circles, scavenging the same areas. Also, at the prison they were less than a day's drive from Rick's hometown (Clear), and Merle had been able to scope out Hershel's farm when he was looking for Daryl. After the prison fell, most were on foot, so they can't be that far from the prison. I agree though that it's time to get venture out to get some better intel.

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  53. Agreed -- aside from exploring different types of "community" as they exist post-apocalypse, I'm hoping the writers eventually start to explore different geographies for each of the groups. I seem to remember T-Dog mentioning heading out toward the ocean (?). Would be interesting to see that, along with colder climates, more hilly/mountainous area, etc. I'm guessing each of these would change the whole dynamic of sighting walkers in advance, carving out shelter, finding food, etc.

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  54. I wanted to mention something Important in the episode...that first patient that Dr Edwards turned off the machine with Beth and told her he died from a heart attact...he also said he was a Funeral Director....well, he was the Funeral Director that own that Funeral house that Beth & Daryl were in when she got kidnapped.....


    this was CONFIRMED by Gimple on TTD show after that episode...he said that he had died of a heart attack while on a run...but said nothing bout the Hospital...Interesting, Huh...☺...

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  55. Jeez...talking about 'ugly and 'not good looking'...who are you? God's gift to women? Get a shave and show some respect!

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  56. So true. I guess I was truly worried about that how long that girl had to be in that awful situation. Euphemia may be right that she was there two or three weeks. Poor, poor, Beth.

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  57. I felt like there were some LOST-ish elements in this episode.
    The opening shot was a close-up of the episode's centric-character's eyes, and later when Noah was lowering Beth down the elevator shaft, then accidentally let her drop a bit, then getting the situation under control, but causing Beth to let her flashlight drop into the dark hole beneath was so much like Locke and Kate when the former was lowering the latter down the hatch tunnel in 2x01.

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